Getting to Muir Woods + Sausalito on our own or on a Tour?

My friend and I arrive to San Francisco on Friday and would like to spend Monday at Muir Woods & Sausalito. I've looked into Tours but they only stay in Muir Woods for one hour and we might want to be there longer but on the other had when I search public transportation it says it will take me 2 hours to get there!!

We really like the idea of spending the morning in the woods, then the afternoon in Sausalito and going back to San Francisco in the ferry for the views but we are unsure on the best way to get there. Or even if the tour with a guide is just a better deal.

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A thing to note (as one of the commenters above touched on) when you drive -- and driving is definitely the way to go -- is that parking sucks if you don't get there early. If you go on a weekday, that will help. But dont let the lack of parking make you think there will be tons of people around. Most people stay around the Visitor Center. Once you step out into the trails beyond a mile or so you get away from most of the people. It's just lovely.

BUT if you happen to be travelling on one of the lucky weekends the Nature Friends San Francisco Tourist Club is open to non-members it is worth doing! You can hike (about an hour if you take the gorgeously scenic route along Ocean View Trail > Panoramic Highway > Redwood Trail) but there are other trail options to the club. When you get there you can enjoy German beer, snacks, hang out an enjoy the view, play games or just chill and chat with people. It's really a lovely experience. You can't bring your own alcohol but you can picnic there. Check their calendar to see their public weekends: http://touristclubsf.org/directions/﻿

Have a great time! (Oh and if you do the Dipsea Steps, give yourself a medal ... and a beer.)

Renting a car will be useful. It might also end up being cheaper than a tour.

Muir Woods National Monument is connected to miles and miles of trails, so depending on how much exploring you want to do, you could really spend the bulk of the day there. There are a lot of other cool things to check out once you're up there like one of the beaches or even heading up to the top of East Peak, Mount Tamalpais. Or even taking a minor detour on the way back to check out a view of the bridge/city from above from one of the vista points off of Conzelman Rd (Conzelman Road Lookout).

I suggest renting a car. The drive to Muir Woods is not that far and you could go at your leisure. Also, stopping in Sausalito would be at your own leisure, too. Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge is really fun, too. If you go on Priceline and name your own price for a car rental, you can usually get a really good deal.

An hour is not enough time to spend in Muir Woods Trail. I've always had a car, so am not an expert in public trans there - is there any way you could rent a car for the day?

The woods have extensive hiking trails. An hour will allow you to walk in, see a little on the lower flat areas looking up at the tall Redwood groves﻿, but you won't have time to do any of the upper trails looking down. It's a gorgeous area. If you enjoy taking pictures, you will want more than an hour. I've posted some of my other photos here.

Same with Sausalito CA. You really are planning a great day. Sausalito is cute and like the woods, you'll want to relax and enjoy it. If you can rent a car and/or find a way that will give you a long day out, then do that.

About the only way to stick with your time goals (morning in Muir Woods Trail, afternoon in Sausalito) is to rent a car and drive there. If you rent a car and get up early and drive, you'll have no trouble getting there and finding parking. By mid to late morning, it's very hard to get parking there as the parking lot fills.

Doing all of what you say on the bus system, I don't think you have enough time...

We have always driven to Muir Woods. We didn't know you could get there by public transportation. The tour may be your best option if you don't have a car. One hour at Muir Woods is better than not going there at all and the tour will probably include other sites in the area you will enjoy seeing. It may be less expensive to rent a car for the day and plan your own activities on your own time than to pay for a guided tour.